Future Seminar Dates

Wednesday 13th March 2019

Title: "Neutrophils in atherosclerosis - from physiology to intervention"

Speaker: Professor Oliver Soehnlein, University of Munich.

Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, F Floor Medical School.

Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Abstract: Because of their rare detection in atherosclerotic lesions, the involvement of neutrophils in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has been largely neglected. However, over the past couple of years, studies have provided convincing evidence for the presence of neutrophils in atherosclerotic plaques and further revealed the causal contribution of neutrophils during various stages of atherosclerosis. In this presentation, I will describe mechanisms underlying hyperlipidemia-mediated neutrophilia and how neutrophils may enter atherosclerotic lesions. It also highlights possible mechanisms of neutrophil-driven atherogenesis and plaque destabilization. Finally, I will show how knowledge of this kind can help to generate innovative therapeutic strategies.

Abstract: Despite a limited coding capacity, RNA viruses such as rabies (RABV) and Nipah (NiV) virus can arrest potent control over host cell biology, and are often highly lethal. Central to this are multifunctional viral proteins that can modulate critical cellular processes, in addition to mediating conserved roles in replication.

My laboratory seeks to delineate these functions to understand how viruses subvert cell biology, and thereby identify new targets to develop vaccines and antivirals.

I will discuss our recent progress on Henipaviruses and lyssaviruses, including new findings on viral targeting of the nucleolus and unexpected roles in modulating the DNA-damage response to control the host cell1. I will also discuss new data on viral antagonism of immunity2, and how this is informing potential methods to block viral immune evasion for vaccine/therapeutic approaches, as well as revealing fundamental mechanisms whereby viral proteins can ‘multi-task’ in coupling immune evasion and genome replication.